Visual Capitalist, reports that in 2010, China overtook the United States to become the world’s largest manufacturer. Over a decade later, the gap has only widened.
In 2023, China’s manufacturing sector added $4.8 trillion in value—making up 27% of the country’s total economic output.
This graphic explores the world’s top manufacturers by value, as of 2023. The data comes from the United Nations and Statista.
Chinese Dominance
China’s metallurgical and machine-building industries alone account for nearly 40% of the country’s industrial output.
Fertilizers, plastics, and synthetic fibers are also central, propelling China into a leading global position in nitrogenous fertilizer production.
Meanwhile, consumer goods—textiles, clothing, footwear, processed foods, and toys—continue to dominate China’s export profile. Synthetic textiles, in particular, have seen rapid growth.
By contrast, manufacturing accounts for just over 10% of the U.S. economy, making it the least reliant on manufacturing among the world’s top 10 industrial nations.
Recently, President Donald Trump pushed tariffs on imported goods to encourage domestic investment—arguing it would create “better-paying American jobs making beautiful American-made cars, appliances, and other goods.”
In Europe, Germany remains the continent’s top manufacturing economy, generating approximately $800 billion in industrial value.
Its strength lies in automotive engineering, machinery, chemicals, and electronics.
Italy follows with $400 billion in manufacturing output, driven by its mechanical engineering, food processing, fashion, and furniture sectors.
Brazil leads in South America with $300 billion in manufacturing value.
Its industrial economy is anchored by automotive production, food processing, chemicals, and aerospace, particularly through companies like Embraer.
In the Middle East, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye top the region’s manufacturing rankings.
Saudi Arabia’s industrial output is largely tied to petrochemicals, plastics, and oil refining, with efforts underway to diversify under Vision 2030.
Türkiye balances traditional industries like textiles and automotive manufacturing with newer sectors like electronics and machinery, serving both European and Middle Eastern markets.
